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By Dr. Thomas Su | May 15, 2024

Is Lipedema Surgery More Effective Than Ozempic?

Many women with lipedema seek out lipedema surgery to improve their quality of life. However, with the rise of Ozempic and other weight loss injections, some sufferers wonder if surgery is really necessary. Ozempic is an effective way for those with obesity to lose weight. However, can it assist those suffering from lipedema?

What Is Lipedema?

Lipedema is a poorly understood medical condition. It involves the accumulation of abnormal fat, especially on the lower body and sometimes on the upper arms.

It is a progressive condition, meaning it continues to worsen over time. At the present time, experts don’t know for sure the cause of lipedema. They believe, however, that it has a hormonal and genetic link. Virtually all sufferers are female, and symptoms arise and worsen during times of hormonal change like puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. Also, it tends to run in families.

Lipedema symptoms are mild in the beginning. Sufferers start to notice their lower body is larger than their upper body. They may develop large or column-like legs with symmetrical swelling. They may also experience pain or tenderness in their affected limbs. Nodules like grains of rice or peas form below the skin. Eventually, these become larger, and the fat accumulation becomes more pronounced. Without treatment, patients experience significant pain and difficulty in moving. They also experience disfiguring fat accumulation that lowers their self-esteem.

What Is the Difference Between Lipedema and Obesity?

Lipedema and obesity have similar symptoms. Therefore, many sufferers receive a misdiagnosis of obesity, which occurs particularly during the early stages of the disease. They are not the same condition, though.

Lipedema fat is different in structure to regular fat. It is more fibrous and nodular. It also accumulates in specific areas. Generally, those with obesity have fat accumulation across their entire body. While some areas are larger than others, there is generalized fat distribution. Lipedema fat, on the other hand, accumulates primarily on the lower body. Sometimes, lipedema fat also affects the upper arms.

Lipedema fat also responds differently to lifestyle changes when compared with regular fat. Exercise and dieting reduce regular fat but have no impact on lipedema fat.

Nevertheless, that doesn’t mean people with lipedema can’t also suffer from obesity. In fact, obesity often occurs as a secondary condition after lipedema. That is because the condition causes pain and mobility issues that make it hard to exercise. Also, sufferers often suffer from mental health issues that result in comfort eating.

What Is Ozempic?

Ozempic is a brand name that relates to semaglutide. It is a drug that patients inject into their bodies. Experts originally developed semaglutide to treat diabetic patients. However, they then found it helps obese people reduce their weight. That is because it mimics the hormone that helps people feel full. It also slows down their gastric emptying and regulates their blood sugar.

Can Ozempic Help Lipedema Sufferers?

At the moment, scientists are studying whether Ozempic can help lipedema sufferers. Early results appear to show that Ozempic helps reduce inflammation in the body. Inflammation is one characteristic of lipedema. Therefore, semaglutide injections may help those with lipedema. Of course, Ozempic also helps with weight loss. That is helpful for those suffering from secondary obesity as well as lipedema. It’s important to understand, though, that Ozempic can’t cure lipedema. At the present time, lipedema has no cure, only treatments.

What Are the Downsides of Ozempic?

Unfortunately, there are several side effects associated with Ozempic injections. These include:

  • Nausea
  • Muscle loss
  • Constipation

It’s important to seek medical advice before taking Ozempic, especially as a lipedema sufferer. You should always determine the possible benefits and risks of any potential treatment before going ahead.

Should I Have Surgery for Lipedema?

Although some sufferers worry about having surgery, it remains the gold-standard treatment for lipedema. Conservative approaches only address the symptoms, not the cause of the condition. Therefore, the disease continues to progress over time. Surgery dramatically slows down lipedema’s progression. It produces long-lasting, demonstrated results.

Surgery for lipedema involves undergoing liposuction. Surgeons remove the abnormal fat, improving patients’ mobility and reducing their pain. Surgery also produces a more proportionate appearance for the patient’s body. That helps boost their self-confidence and self-esteem. Afterward, patients enjoy a better quality of life overall.

If you’re ready to undergo surgery for lipedema, you should always seek out a specialist. While many cosmetic surgeons offer liposuction to lipedema sufferers, not all produce the same results. Treating lipedema patients is a specialist skill. Surgeons must understand how to remove the diseased fat without causing more problems. Therefore, contacting a proven expert is crucial.

Dr. Su at ArtLipo leads the way in this field. As a liposuction specialist, he is the pioneer of cutting-edge surgical techniques. He also regularly treats lipedema sufferers and produces excellent outcomes. Take a look at ArtLipo’s before and after photo gallery to see his results for yourself. Contact Dr. Su at ArtLipo now to arrange your consultation.

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